Rio Tinto Alcan Smelting Project Feasibility Study To Be Completed

Abu Dhabi Basic Industries Corporation recently negotiated with Rio Tinto Alcan for the construction of an aluminum smelter in Al-Ruwais. The first phase of the plant is expected to cost US$5 billion.

Sandeep Biswas, senior vice president of Rio Tinto Alcan Business Development, said: “The pre-feasibility study is coming to an end and the next step will be to conduct a detailed feasibility study. We are already negotiating the major commercial terms.”

The plant will be constructed in three phases with a capacity of 700 metric tons per year. The project is the second proposed smelter project in Abu Dhabi. The UAE Aluminum Corporation is currently planning to build a 1.4 million metric ton/year smelter in the Tavira region.

In addition, the Middle East, including Qatar and Saudi Arabia, have begun or plan to build aluminum smelting projects.

The president also stated: “The Middle East is rapidly developing into an aluminum growth center. Given the five smelters we plan to build, our aluminum output is expected to reach 6 million metric tons in the next few years.”

But it also pointed out that the shortage of inflation, skilled labor and raw materials may affect the smelting project, unless the company is well-designed in the planning and procurement strategy.